14.
Plenty of people have said similar things about me.
Plenty of others have advised me, every time I tried
to take another upward step, that I should go back to
teaching, a woman's vocation,
and leave politics to the men. I love teaching, and
I am ready to go back to it as soon as I am convinced
that this country no longer needs a woman' s contribution.
15.
When there are no children going to bed hungry in this
rich nation, I may be ready to go back to teaching.
When there is a good school for every child, I may be
ready. When we do not spend our wealth, on hardware
to murder people, when we no longer tolerate prejudice
against minorities, and when the laws against unfair
housing and unfair employment practices are enforced
instead of evaded,
then there may be nothing more for me to do in politics.
16.
But until that happens -- and we all know it will not
be this year or next -- what we need is more women in
politics, because we have a very special contribution
to make. I hope that the example of my success will
convince other women to get into politics -- and not
just to stuff envelopes, but  to
run for office.
17.
It is women who can bring empathy,
tolerance, insight,
patience, and persistence to government -- the
qualities we naturally have or have had to develop
because of our suppression by men. The women of a nation
mold its morals, its religion, and its politics by the
lives they live. At present, our country needs women's
idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics
than anywhere else.
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